Shopsmith Mark 7 - Over or Under Table Operation

Over or Under Table Operation

The original Shopsmith Mark V has only tilted to the right...
allowing only over-table routing, shaping and drum sanding... the new
Shopsmith Mark 7 has been designed to tilt left or right ...allowing
both over and under table routing,
shaping and drum Sanding, and enabling it to take full advantage of all
the enhanced capabilities provided by the revolutionary new Shopsmith
PowerPro® motor and headstock.

Since its introduction, the Shopsmith Mark V has always offered
over-table operation of these functions... however, some woodworkers
prefer the under-table approach... feeling that having the bit or
cutter under the workpiece keeps the hands out of harm's way and actually
protects them from potential injury. If you agree with this, the new,
tilt-both-ways Shopsmith Mark 7 lets you have your choice.

Being able to switch between over and under-table operation also gives
you three other options that you don't get with Mark V's:

You can change your workpiece feed direction to whatever is
comfortable for you by switching from over to under-table operation

Under-table operation allows you to work more efficiently by
setting your depth-of-cut just once when making internal cuts

For example, if you're shaping or drum sanding the internal edges of a series of identical picture
frames or similar projects, you can use the under-table approach and set your cut depth just once.
Then you can switch from workpiece-to-workpiece by simply dropping your stock over the
protruding bit, cutter or drum and performing your operation.
If you were using an over-table set-up, you would have to move your spindle up or down and
then reset your depth-of-cut each time you changed workpieces. Not so with an under-table set-
up.

Since the rotating bit or cutter projects up from beneath the
workpiece, under-table operation allows you to position your hands
where required without interference from the bit or cutter. So, you
can exert more down-force on your stock during operation than you
could with the bit in your way on top of the workpiece, and therefore,
usually achieve greater precision on your cuts. And, by the way,
this same scenario holds true for drum sanding operations.

However, although many woodworkers believe that the under-table
approach is best, simply because it's more conventional, many Mark V
owners believe that the over-table approach is best because it
allows the rotating bit or cutter to always be in full view, making
it easier and potentially more precise when making stop-cuts (such
as for mortises) or for routing to drawn lines. Fortunately, the
new Mark 7 allows you to select the approach that you like best.

So, what's involved in making the switch?

Changing the Mark 7 from over-table to under-table operation
is simple.

Step One: Remove the worktable from the table
carriage

Step Two: Rotate the worktable 180° and replace
it in the table carriage